Discipline 1.3
You know one thing I never thought about before I decided to bring Asia outside of the church?
There were still devils in town. In fact, she'd even met one of them. It was a fairly brief meeting, if what she said was true, but a meeting all the same. I was pretty sure she doesn't even know he was a devil. I looked at the sheepish boy in front of me. His brown hair was slightly spiked, and he was staring a hole into me. I couldn't quite place what the look on his face meant. Was it anger? Jealousy? I didn't know.
Issei Hyoudou held out his hand to me, an unnatural smile forming on his face. I could see his eye twitch as he did. I think it was both. As I touched him, one thing was certain, the high-schooler was not happy.
I tried to keep a straight face as I shook his hand. In the back of my mind, I was screaming. My afternoon was not going to plan. Nothing was going to plan. First, I had Asia very excitedly invade my personal space. It wasn't that bad. A bit embarrassing sure, and very much a surprise. What came after was what really sucked.
The questioning male voice that had come from above me as Asia held onto my chest had set my face ablaze. I knew to her, it probably wasn't, but to me it was shameful. I hadn't been that close to anyone like that. Not ever. I don't know about most males my age, but I rarely did hugs. I wasn't really up for most people touching me, some family members excluded. It just made me uncomfortable. Honestly, if it wasn't the girl sitting next to me who did it, I probably would've raised hell about it.
"So..." A skittish voice called out. Blankly, I noted the voice was in speaking in English. There wasn't any accent whatsoever. It was decidedly off with the way his mouth moved. Issei looked at me, his eyes positively glowing. He stepped back, away from where Asia and I sat. "You two do this kind of thing often?"
I heard a small "Eep!" from my left. I could see Asia trying to look anywhere but the two of us. I guess she was embarrassed then. It took me a few short seconds to settle myself. Trying to sound casual, I replied, "No, not really."
Light brown eyes stared into my own blue.
For a moment, he didn't say a word. His face was blank. I couldn't tell what was going through the boy's head. Suddenly, he looked down. I could lightly hear him mutter something to himself. I wasn't quite close enough to make it all out. Issei pulled his head up before approaching closer. I didn't know what to do in this situation. I hadn't planned for it. Hell, I didn't really think about something like this happening at all. I just wanted to be nice and take Asia out to try something new. It was just my luck.
"Look, I'm not much for introductions. My name's Issei. Issei Hyoudou."
I noticed it a lot easier this time. The way he spoke was still off. His lips didn't match his words. Something was wrong. It only took me a second to remember. The Gift of Tongues. Devils, fallen angels, and even normal angels could speak any language. I couldn't remember how it exactly worked, but I did remember it was supposed to be used for making contracts when it came to the devils. I could only guess as to the reason for normal angels and their fallen counterparts having the gift as well. It would be useful for members of the supernatural world.
Don't last names come first in Japan? I thought. I frowned as the question came to me. It was just another one in an ever-growing list that I doubted I'd ever get an answer to.
"Jack D'oro. Call me Jack." I nodded my head to him. My voice was even, but nervousness crept underneath. I knew what this guy was like. He was decidedly in the punch first ask questions later camp. I wish I had my sword with me or rather my hilt. I needed a new melee weapon. Badly. Freed had abused the longsword to the point of no return. I did have something though. The blocky revolver suddenly felt heavier on my side. Trying to not draw attention to it, I started to slowly bring my hand to my waistline.
"I didn't know that." pouted Asia. I could see her lips set into a small frown as she looked at me. It was a mix between anger and sadness. I wanted to turn away as she stared at me. Guilt burrowed its way into my gut. One day, I'd get used to her doing this to me. Until then, I'd just have to deal with it.
"Didn't know what?" I questioned.
She was quick to answer. As she did, her tone sounded almost happy. It was a bit strange. The way Asia flip-flopped back and forth. I just put it down to the way she acted. She took the phrase "Wearing your heart on your sleeve" to an entirely new level.
"Your last name. D'oro." She stopped faintly smiling. She leaned forward, clasping her hands together. In my native tongue, she quietly muttered, "Gold."
Issei Hyoudou's voice was quick to interrupt. He didn't seem angry anymore. The only thing hinting at emotion was his lips. They were quirked up in an odd manner. Almost like some kind of smirk, not quite a smile. I frowned looking into his eyes. I followed them, they seemed to wag from side to side staring at something. Huh? I thought. When Asia had leaned forward her chest had moved as well, giving it a slight jiggle.
"You're that girl from the other day right?" Issei asked, still staring. I wanted to say something. I should've called him out on it. Unfortunately, I was completely baffled by the sight in front of me. That was not how clothes work. That's just...my brain seemed to stop as I looked down. It didn't make sense. Her dress was caught on the bench, perfectly pulling her already tight clothes back even more. I could see something poking- No, Jack. Bad thoughts. How in the name of all that was holy, did she not notice?
I called out, "Asia, your dress."
I brought up a finger, pointing behind her to where her clothes had gotten stuck. Its white hem was just barely caught between two boards. I could see a light pink dust on her cheeks as she pulled it out, still slightly smiling. Turning to me she let a little laugh. I wanted to as well. If it wasn't for the absurdity that this was real life, it would've made for some kind of joke. As this was my new reality, I chose to stay quiet, still dumbfounded by the fact that something like that just happened. It was like some kind of Freudian act of God. I pointedly ignored the angry glare Issei shot my way.
"Oops! I'm a bit clumsy sometimes. Thank you, Jack."
I silently nodded my head. This was not the type of stuff I signed up for. Then again, nothing here was. I still felt a yearning in my heart for home.
Asia turned her head toward Issei. If I remember correctly, this was supposed to be their second meeting. He'd offer to take her around town. They'd go to an arcade or something. I looked back and forth between Asia and Issei. Neither of them said a word. The two couldn't even look each other in the eyes. An awkward silence settled over all of us. I doubted the same thing was going to happen here.
Trying to sound interested, I said, "So how did the two of you meet?"
Issei was quick to respond.
"I bumped into her on the way home. She was new here, so I showed her to the church. I didn't-" He stopped talking. I could see a small frown as Issei pursed his lips. His brown eyes darted back and forth between Asia and me. The frown deepened. "Are you two dating?"
"What?" I drawled. How did he come up with that? I mean sure the way he found us was a bit touchy-feely but nothing crazy. It was just a hug. We weren't like that. He knew Asia didn't he? Then, it dawned on me. This Issei, he wasn't the same one from the show. He didn't know. He didn't know anything about her at all except that she was a cute girl and a member of the church. Flabbergasted, I didn't know how to respond.
Asia tilted her head. Her golden hair shifted to one side. I could see a question on her lips as they quietly opened and closed. No words came out as she looked at me. It seemed that whatever it was, the girl decided that it would be better to sit and wait. Iseei didn't give me time to think of an answer.
"Tch." The brown-haired boy was glaring at me like I just shot his dog. I could see his browline twitch with barely hidden annoyance before he quickly turned around. Roughly, Issei shoved his hands in his pockets. "Should've known. You two have fun on your date. Bye Asia."
Asia, the poor girl, just looked confused. I could see her watch Issei's back as he walked off. Silently, she held out a hand toward him before putting it down. The look on her face was pained. Anger stirred in my gut.
What the hell is his problem? I thought. I clenched my hand into a fist, staring at the retreating brunet's head. Is that really all it takes for him? I thought he was supposed to be a nice guy beyond his perversion.
I slowly went over what I knew of him in my head. I started to think of his powers, and perverted if helpful mindset around helping the characters of the main cast. Then, I stopped. He wasn't there yet. I don't know exactly where in the timeline we were at, but he started out just like those other two guys didn't he? Vague memories of a balding pervert and a teenager with glasses came to my mind. That was it. He hadn't even been on any of his little adventures yet, has he? He was just a brown-haired pervert. Hell, I didn't even know if Issei was aware he was a devil yet.
It didn't matter. I didn't want anything to do with him or the rest of the devils for that matter. I let out a deep breath. My grip loosened. It wouldn't help anything for me to get angry. Something tapped my shoulder. I turned.
Asia looked back at me, confusion all over her face. I could see a bit of interest in her green eyes as she asked, "Jack, what's a date?"
"God dammit," I muttered. I felt a small hand slap my shoulder. Pure shock was on Asia's face. It quickly transitioned into outrage. I said that out loud didn't I? "Fuck me." Asia hit me again. Oh well, I was going to be in for it one way or another. Asia opened her mouth to reprimand me for my language, and I sighed.
-|-]=[-|-
Raynare's eyes were a deep violet.
They seemingly shined in the dark. They looked like two cut gems shoved into the fallen angel's eyes. I could see something through them. I couldn't quite identify what it was though. Her face was completely blank, not conveying any emotion at all. The color, the size, everything about them, the two orbs were entirely unnatural on her face. It was inhuman. It made the woman look like a predator, sizing me up as the seconds ticked by. If this was another one of the two-bit villains from the show, I didn't want to meet one of the real ones. Kokabiel awaits. I gulped.
"Take it."
I looked down at her hands. In it, there was an axe. The weapon looked gigantic in them. Raynare was a fairly small woman, only a few inches taller than Asia. Despite this, she hefted the axe like it was nothing. The thin straps of leather and cloth that she called clothes made it uncomfortable to look at her. Her wings twitched and a small smile came to her face. She saw me looking. I grimaced, pulling my eyes back up. I had to look down to meet her own. Maybe I was just too tall.
"Why are you giving me this?" I asked. It didn't make sense. I'd never spoken to her before. Hell, I'd never even seen her before. The only fallen angel I'd ever spotted around the church was Dohnaseek, and even that was rare. I don't know why the crazy woman cared. There was only one person I had mentioned wanting a new weapon to anyways.
"It's a reward. Freed. He assured me you would be of use. The-" I could see something flash in her eyes. Anger? No, it was hatred. Pure and raw. "human told me you would be worth it. Was he lying?"
I could feel something in the room shift. She was watching me with an almost hungry look in her eyes. I'd only just gotten to the point where I could hold my own with Freed, and that was with me abusing my regeneration to the fullest. I doubted she'd let me get the necessary hits in either. Flight would be a bitch to deal with. Nervously, I watched the fallen angel's hands. A light spear to the gut would stop me in my tracks.
"No," I answered, grasping the axe from her hands.
The weapon itself wasn't a thing of beauty. It was simple but of good make, as a tool of war should be. The handle was made out of stained wood, easily allowing me to grasp it with both hands if I wished. There was thick leather on the wood making for a comfortable grip. On the bottom of the handle, the axes pommel had a sharp metal spike. I assumed it was steel.
The axe's head was made out of the same metal. Its blade twisted up and down, seeming to open into a sharp semi-circle. Behind the blade, the head hooked backward. Images of unnamed warriors tripping and pulling on their enemies' limbs flashed into my mind. Like its pommel, the backside of the axe's head had another spike sticking out of it. It had what looked like small runes inlaid all over the metal. The steel felt cold to the touch.
Raynare was silent as I observed the weapon in my hands. Pale white teeth showed between her lips as I looked back at her. I held the axe down to the floor, then asked, "Are these runes?"
"No, it's Enochian. It will help with your duties." Raynare replied. She looked pleased with her answer. I wasn't. It still didn't actually tell me what they do. She didn't seem to notice or care. I didn't say anything about though. I didn't want to set her off. From what I knew of her, it would probably be easy to do so.
"You're going out with Freed. Tonight. You're going to prove yourself. We have some undesirable neighbors that I'd like to be rid of. If the devils show, kill them." She stopped, slowly pacing toward me. I could see Raynare looking for something on my face. I couldn't tell if she found it. A dainty hand came to my scalp. I flinched as it made contact. The fallen angel was staring at me. It was supremely uncomfortable. She was touching me. No small part of me wanted to slap the hand away. I harshly gripped my axe, trying not to move.
"If you do well I'll even give you another reward." Raynare smiled, this time looking off behind me. Her hand was rubbing small circles on my head like I was some kind of dog. I grit my teeth and kept my face still.
What the hell is she doing? I thought. This wasn't just threatening anymore, it was downright creepy. The woman paid me no mind and continued to touch me.
She kept going, just staring into the distance, before letting out a small laugh. A pair of violet eyes looked me up and down. Involuntarily, I shivered. They were hungry.
"Trust me, you will enjoy it. Freed always does." The woman pulled away from me. She gave me one final look, licking her lips. I felt like a piece of meat in front of a lion. I didn't like it. I didn't like it at all. Quickly, Raynare turned. I could see her wings open as she walked. It revealed her back and bottom from behind. They were both tight with hidden muscle and pale. She sauntered as she walked away.
Just as she got out of earshot, I whispered, "What the fuck just happened?"
AN: That certainly is a good question isn't it Jack? This chapter had some interesting things happen in it. It also helped me to really make up my own ideas on how Raynare ran her organization and exactly why. We will get more on that later. I just thought it would be interesting to you all to get most of this through Jack's point of view. It feels like it's been a bit slow showing Jack's development for me, but with how far were into the story, I think it has gone surprisingly well. I guess we'll find out in the future if Raynare trying to control Jack the same way she does Freed will turn out okay for her.
Moving on!
Issei was also in this chapter. I tried to write him as I thought he would act in the situation he was given. Without any of his development as a person, I think it stayed true to his character. He started off as just a pervert with a hatred for "hot" guys or "riajuus" if you like subs better than dubs. The one thing he had going for him was his kindness. The battle between his kindness and his hatred was the only thing I had to go off of for that scene. At the beginning of the show, he really doesn't have much going for him. We might get more of him later depending on how I'd want to use him as a character.
Like always, please tell me what you think. If there were any grammar or other writing errors, please point them out so I can fix them. The next chapter will be up sometime next week, just depends on how work goes. Until then...
~ciao